Please be sure to read the product label of any insecticide you choose to use to get information on the personal protective safety gear you will need. In most situations, it is recommended that you wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt, closed toe shoes with socks, chemical resistant gloves, and goggles. In areas where ventilation is poor, a manufacturer may recommend you wear a mask or a respirator. We have put together two different safety kits that will make selecting the correct safety gear easier for you.

Silverfish normally live outdoors under rocks, bark, and leaves. When silverfish are found indoors, they prefer moist places such as basements, bathtubs, laundry rooms, sinks and kitchens. However, they may also be found near food sources including book shelves, behind baseboards and wallpaper, and around window and door frames.

Adult silverfish lay small groups of up to 50 eggs carefully hidden within cracks and crevices. Silverfish eggs normally hatch within two weeks, but may also take as long as two months. It takes several years before young silverfish are sexually mature, and then a female silverfish lays less than 100 eggs in her lifetime of two to eight years. Therefore, silverfish populations do not grow very rapidly.

Damage

Silverfish are pests mostly because of their diet. While silverfish can not physically harm humans or animals, they will damage wallpaper, book bindings, paper goods and some dry food. Silverfish may also eat small holes in fabrics including linen, cotton, and silk.

Prevention

Practice good sanitation to help prevent further silverfish population growth

Use of a residual pesticide such as Suspend SC will help control silverfish

Remove old papers, books, boxes, and clothes from storage areas. This will aid the control process by removing food sources and hiding places.